Mrs D, a 56-year-old civil servant, was admitted for a colonoscopy. She had presented with a two-month history of intermittent dull left hypochondrial pain, flatulence, bloating and loose stools. On two occasions she had painless bright red rectal bleeding. Blood tests were essentially normal, apart from a mild increase in her inflammatory markers.
The gastroenterologist, Dr K, suspected diverticulitis and planned to carry out the procedure himself, along with a biopsy if required. Dr K discussed the colonoscopy and its possible complications with Mrs D and obtained her consent. As part of the usual preparation for the procedure, Mrs D was given conscious sedation with fentanyl and midazolam.
Dr K carried out the colonoscopy in accordance with standard practice, and found multiple diverticulae and a small polyp in Mrs D’s descending colon, which he removed for histopathology.
One week later, Mrs D submitted a formal complaint to the hospital. She complained about Dr K’s disregard for her modesty, the extreme distress she experienced while undergoing the procedure and the inappropriate hospital environment in which the colonoscopy took place. In the endoscopy room she said she had overheard unknown male voices, who she presumed were IT staff, close by. These male voices, she said, were laughing inappropriately and commenting on details inside the room.